These Days… Ab-Soul Is Aiming For Album Of 2014 Status (Album Stream)

Ab-Soul heats years up. Two years and a month after #ControlSystem, the Carson, California MC returns with another independent release given away for free stream, in These Days… The “Black lipped pastor” of Black Hippy bypasses traditional promotional strategies, and lets the lyrics come first.

These Days… is an expanded release within Soulo’s catalog, featuring star features from the likes of Rick Ross, Lupe Fiasco, and Mac Miller (as Larry Fisherman). In addition to the usual TDE go-to providers, Ab hooks up beats from the aforementioned Larry, J. Cole, and Pac Div’s Like. The 15 tracks were released to the public today (June 24), with digital purchase available too, as per usual.

This release is themed around Ab-Soul’s rise in 2012, and the fruits and stresses associated with money, fame, and expectation. Spirituality (evident in artwork), self-medication, and clever couplets of bars with wavy vocal samples remain the basis of much of this album.

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In his third indie effort, do you think Ab-Soul reach the (highly-deserved) mainstream status enjoyed by ScHoolboy Q and Kendrick Lamar? Is this a midpoint contender for 2014’s A.O.T.Y.?

Related: Ab-Soul Talks “These Days” On NPR Before Tomorrow’s Release (Audio)